{"id":59912,"date":"2013-11-05T13:54:48","date_gmt":"2013-11-05T11:54:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/?p=59912"},"modified":"2013-11-05T14:02:39","modified_gmt":"2013-11-05T12:02:39","slug":"call-of-duty-ghosts-par-for-the-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/features\/59912-call-of-duty-ghosts-par-for-the-course","title":{"rendered":"Call of Duty Ghosts: par for the course"},"content":{"rendered":"

Activision and Infinity ward\u2019s latest mainstream shooting extravaganza, Call of Duty: Ghosts has finally deployed for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. PS4 reviews are also in, ahead of the next-gen console’s launch.<\/p>\n

Ghosts puts players in a post-catastrophe setting that will allow for some unique weapons, locations and set-pieces that the series has become known for \u2013 and don\u2019t forget the most innovative feature of all, Riley the Call of Duty Dog.<\/p>\n

\"Call<\/a>

Call of Duty Ghosts – Riley<\/p><\/div>\n

The multiplayer will once again be a pillar of the game with millions of players expected to hop on the next Call of Duty multiplayer bandwagon. Interestingly, Infinity Ward reckons their player base aren\u2019t exactly \u201chardcore\u201d gamers.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Infinity Ward also recently unveiled the intriguing Extinction mode<\/a><\/strong>; a \u201c1-4 player cooperative game mode featuring a unique blend of fast-paced survival action, FPS base defence, scavenging and class levelling,\u201d according to the press blurb.<\/p>\n

Below are the average scores for the game from aggregators, Metacritic and Gamerankings. PC ratings are still outstanding as Activision tightly controlled reviewer access ahead of launch.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Call of Duty Ghosts – review averages (5 November 2013: 1PM)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nMetacritic<\/strong><\/td>\nGamerankings<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xbox 360<\/td>\n75<\/td>\n79.92<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PS3<\/td>\n73<\/td>\n79.88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PS4<\/td>\n78<\/td>\n79.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

It seems the game is struggling to crack through the 80% barrier at this stage. So, what are the critics saying?<\/p>\n

Since the PS4 is arguably the best representation of the CoD series going forward, we’ve rounded up the opinions of prominent publications from reviews on that platform.<\/p>\n

The Escapist – 4\/5 stars<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Call of Duty: Ghosts throws a lot of stuff at the walls and attempts to see what sticks. In addition to the campaign and multiplayer there’s now Extinction, Squads, Clans Wars and more. There’s a little bit of everything to be found here and it’s all built on the foundation of a fast paced shooter. With so much customization over your character and you routes of play there’s probably something for everyone in Ghosts.<\/p>\n

Game Informer – 80%<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ghosts had potential to be more than it is. As the first series entry on new consoles and the first of what will assuredly be a new brand, I was disappointed to see it resemble its predecessors even more than the franchise typically does. Even without its own significant hook or sense of identity, however, Ghosts is still fun thanks to Call of Duty\u2019s polished and reliable backbone that\u2019s been established for years.<\/p>\n

\"Call<\/a>

Call of Duty Ghosts<\/p><\/div>\n

Joystiq – 3.5\/5 stars<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Call of Duty: Ghosts is a solid installment, but it lacks creativity and innovation. Its new engine already looks dated in the face of the competition, and it eschews many of the solid concepts seen in Black Ops 2. After Treyarch attempted to expand the established Call of Duty formula with risky campaign and multiplayer ideas, Infinity Ward and friends have ignored the franchise’s innovative climb. Despite this, Ghosts still steals the show with more memorable missions than those found in Black Ops 2. And even with the loss of Pick 10, I still played the multiplayer for hours and had a good time.<\/p>\n

Eurogamer – 70%<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ghosts, in and of itself, is a fine game. It ticks all the boxes and then blows the boxes up in glorious 1080p resolution (on PS4 at least). Those who only ever play COD will be more than happy with it, but those who have grown weary of the series will see more of their ambivalence justified this time around. Infinity Ward had a chance here to throw down the gauntlet for the next hardware generation, to set the new standard, to show that this hugely popular, much derided behemoth can dance to a different tune. It’s chosen to play a Greatest Hits package instead.<\/p>\n

Gamespot – 80%<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

From an exuberant campaign full of spectacle and variety to the way Extinction’s unpredictable aliens force you to use those targeting skills in entirely new ways, Ghosts strikes an excellent balance between the familiar and the novel. This is a game that’s keenly aware of the series’ strengths, but doesn’t find itself beholden to them. No matter what standard you apply, Call of Duty: Ghosts is a terrific first-person shooter.<\/p>\n